Dental Hygienists Association

Lane County Dental Hygienists’ Association

…representing the Dental Hygiene Profession in Lane County Oregon

LCDHA Newsletter Fall 2005

President’s Message

After practicing dental “hygienistry” (a pet term of mine) in private practices for more than 20 years, I thought Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD), now called Early Childhood Caries (ECC), was a thing of the past. I also thought that third world oral health conditions were, well, in third world areas. With my newly acquired Limited Access Permit (LAP), these beliefs were about to change.

In 2002, I began developing a dental hygiene prevention program to be used in Head Start programs for preschool children. Working with Val Hayes, a registered nurse and health consultant for Head Start of Lane County, we based our prevention program on a medical triage model. An objective was to prioritize the level of oral health need due to limited funds available. This sounded like an easy task to me. How hard could it be? Besides, I had never seen much decay in preschoolers' teeth since prescription fluoride became available. Implementing the triage prevention model during the first week, I observed primary molars decayed to the gum line, swelling in the vestibule and fistulas from abscessed teeth. This wasn't in some rural, third world location. This was in our community! It still brings tears when I remember that week's revelation about the state of oral health among some of our most vulnerable population. Needless to say, it began a burning passion to improve oral health for children and continues to this day. Isn't that part of our foundational training, as dental health professionals and the mission of our association, to improve the oral heath of the public?

As colleagues, now you know my "soap box,” and I never tire of telling the story if it will inspire someone to serve in whatever capacity that they are willing. We have an unprecedented opportunity in our state, with new legislation signed into law by the governor this past spring, adding more services that may be provided under our licensure to community members with limited access to dental services. So, thank you to all who continue to roll up their sleeves as we work together for the betterment of the public's oral health and well-being.

Looking forward to a great year,

Marquita Corliss, BS, RDH Limited Access Permit LCDHA Continuing Education Page 1 This year LCDHA will offer 7 continuing education courses for a total of 15 CEUs. Student Liaison These courses are FREE for ADHA/ADAA Deb Tipton would like to step down as our members & LCC dental students. Please see Student Liaison. Please call Deb at 685-9589 the enclosed schedule for continuing for details of this position and if you are education topics & dates. Courses will be interested in becoming a member of held 6:30-8:45 PM in the main auditorium at LCDHA. Sacred Heart Medical Center (SHMC) in Eugene, OR. Special thanks to LCDHA Special Thanks Continuing Education Chair Laura Roberts Special thanks for a job well done to our past for putting together a wonderful schedule of president Mary Ellen Volansky. She has continuing education courses. LCDHA accepted a new position working for the members may also attend continuing Confederated Tribes of Siletz. We wish her education courses sponsored by the Lane well. Also, Lisa Rowley has stepped down as County Dental Assistants Society (LCDAS) Newsletter Editor. Her new challenge will be at no charge. Contact Sandy Stice at 463- Program Director at Pacific University, 5638 or [email protected] for a schedule. organizing a new Dental Hygiene Program; we have not seen the last of her yet! Thank Date Change for First LCDHA Meeting you both for the support to our local The date of our first meeting has been association. changed from September 29, 2005 to September 22, 2005. We apologize for the ODHA Annual Session change and hope to see you all there. This year’s ODHA Annual Session & House of Delegates meeting will be held October Toys for Tots 28-29 2005 at the Eugene Hilton Hotel. This Each year LCDHA collects toothbrushes to meeting will include 6 hours of continuing donate to the Toys for Tots program in education as well as the annual meeting of December. Help support this community the ODHA House of Delegates. If you are activity by bringing toothbrushes to any fall interested in representing LCDHA as a meeting. Call Loretta Lee 689-3954 for any delegate please contact Marquita Corliss 689- donation pick-ups. 3477.

LCDHA Business Meetings Leadership Reception All interested members are encouraged to We wish to extend an invitation to all dental attend LCDHA business meetings to help hygienists in Lane County and Oregon to plan upcoming activities for our component. attend our second annual Leadership Call Marquita Corliss 689-3477 for the Reception which will be held at 6:30 PM on business meeting schedule. Thursday, October 27, 2005 in the main auditorium at Sacred Heart Medical Center in LCDHA President Elect Eugene, OR. The topic of discussion will be LCDHA is seeking a President-Elect for Board of Dentistry As Your Resource. There the2005-2006 fiscal year. This individual is no charge for this reception and dinner is will then serve as LCDHA President for the included. 2006-2007 fiscal year. Please call LCDHA Silent Auction President Marquita Corliss if you are At the ODHA Annual Session there will also interested in this position or would like to be a silent auction. The proceeds will benefit nominate someone for this position. those children in need of dental care. Page 2 send in you renewal as soon as possible to Incoming LCC Students keep your membership active!!! A warm welcome to all of those beginning their first year in the dental hygiene program at LCC. You are about to embark on an Employment Opportunities exciting and fun career. We also welcome the LCDHA’s Employment Chair Nancy Jones return of the second year students and look is seeking dental hygienists who are available forward to your graduation in the spring. for full-time, part-time, permanent or temporary employment. Please call Nancy Dental Hygiene Month for more information. October will be observed as National Dental Hygiene Month throughout the United States. If you have any suggestions for special LCDHA Phone Tree LCDHA activities during October, please LCDHA has established a phone tree to help contact LCDHA Community Outreach Chair keep our members informed about upcoming Loretta Lee. activities. Help us keep our rosters up-to-date by calling LCDHA Membership Chair Linda Bailey with your current phone numbers & ODHA Website email address. Be sure to visit the ODHA website at www.odha.org to view information about upcoming events. You can also click under Address Changes “Components” to see information about To ensure that you will receive all of your LCDHA events. professional association mailings, please report address changes to ADHA, ODHA & LCDHA as soon as possible. Membership Renewal If you are on the summer billing cycle, your Editor ADHA membership expired on June 30, Loretta Lee 2005. If you have not already done so, please [email protected]

The Lane County Dental Hygienists’ Association (LCDHA) is the professional association which represents dental hygienists in Lane County, Oregon. LCDHA is a component of the Oregon Dental Hygienists' Association (ODHA) & the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA).

The Lane County Dental Hygienists’ Association Newsletter is published twice each year in the fall & spring. Information for the Newsletter should be submitted to the newsletter editor before August 15th or December 15th.